Can I confess something? A Family Affair was my very first Robyn Carr book. I know, I know. I’m late to the party. After binging the Virgin River series on Netflix, you’d think I would have taken the plunge sooner, but you’d be wrong. Now, I’m left wondering why I didn’t give her books a try sooner. A Family Affair is a beautifully written, emotionally driven story. It felt very authentic and left me feeling quite raw in places. All of the characters are flawed in some way, but it’s how they figure out the path to being better versions of themselves that kept me turning the pages. While the secondary characters’ journeys are just as grief-driven, I enjoyed traveling along with Anna as she navigated her incredibly rocky road. She had so much to grieve, and it felt like a genuine voyage of navigating all the crazy emotions that are a part of someone’s grief experience, especially considering her multiple losses. At the end of the day, this book was all about a family growing closer, learning to love better, and opening a tattered heart to others despite the risk.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange of my honest feedback and opinion.

I would like to begin by saying that I LOVE Robyn Carr. I have read 30+ of her books and have enjoyed every single one of them.

Even though I enjoyed this read, I believe my biggest issue with this book was that it was labeled as a romance. Although Romance does take some place in this stand alone novel, there is so much happening within these pages that outshines the romantic aspect of this book.

Having said this, this book showcases a "normal" family, definitely not a story tale one. Real problems and struggles are imprinted in these pages and shed light into many substantial issues, such as mental health, grief, neurological disorders, and much more.

Anna McNichol is a well-respected lawyer in San Francisco. One day her husband, Chad, who was a counsellor and psychologist, dies in a white water rafting accident. Their marriage has endured many highs and lows and at Chad's funeral a pregnant young woman shows up. The McNichol children, Michael, Jessie and Bess are all struggling with their grief, whilst Anna is attempting to come to terms with her own feelings regarding Chad. Exactly who is the mystery woman and why has her husband left an anonymous recipient a share of his retirement fund and savings?

In A Family Affair, the author manages to keep many moments light-hearted in a tale that might have become rather melancholy. I liked the relationship dynamics, and the differences between the McNichol siblings were very well highlighted whilst showcasing the importance of family. As the story unfolded, many long-hidden secrets surfaced. Grief, anger, betrayal, forgiveness, and other issues are covered including adultery, dementia, ageing, autism and mental health. Each character had depth, was well constructed and had their own storyline which linked neatly into the main plot. A satisfying and enthralling read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Anna’s husband, Chad, has just passed away. It is very traumatic for all the family members. But, when a young pregnant woman shows up to the funeral, Anna knows deep down that Chad’s past is about to come back and possibly destroy their family.

Chad was never truly on the up and up with his family. And when he changes the will leaves money to an unknown person, it sends up red flags to all involved. Anna knows she is going to have to come clean to her family.

This is your usual Robyn Carr read and I just love it! The complex characters and the issues facing this family after the death of their father and husband really make a wonderful story. I love how the characters are flawed in some areas and everything is not all peaches and cream. It is tough when people are not who you think they are! And no one weaves a tale with complexity quite like Robyn Carr!

Need a great family drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Just when Anna McNichol's life is running smooth, her husband dies unexpectedly. After a life spent supporting him emotionally, now she's left floundering herself. But she needs to be strong for her children and her ailing mother, who's disappearing more daily into her dementia. Adding to her stress is the mysterious pregnant woman at Chad's funeral. Did he cheat again, and is the baby his? And all of her children are struggling with their grief in different ways and in need of her advice. She really needs some support and finds it in an unexpected source.
This book is so heartfelt and real. Families are dramatic and messy, and this family is no exception. Each of them is dealing with their own life-changing problems, but they come together over their grief to heal and forgive, and it actually brings them closer.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I've read and enjoyed dozens of books by this author and looked forward to this book, as well. I read it in 24 hours, so it certainly hooked me! The book began with the untimely death of our heroine's husband, and what followed was one crisis after another! While it made for an interesting story, the counterpoint to that is that there wasn't time in this book to actually deal with the fallout from every crisis, so they mostly resolved without much detail or emotion. There may have been just too many plotlines for one book. While this wasn't my favorite of Carr's books, it was nonetheless enjoyable and I will certainly keep reading.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for an Arc of this book.

Life’s biggest dilemmas can provide its sweetest rewards

Anna McNichol has worked hard her entire life. She worked hard to be a good wife, a good mother and to have a career of her own. But things have not always been easy. Her marriage was not always a happy one and now that her husband has passed away, she is left with even more questions than answers.

I really enjoy Robyn Carr books, and this was no exception. This book touches on several things - marriage, unhappiness, betrayal, being weak, being strong, health issues, secrets, toxic relationships, family, friends, etc. Her characters feel real, and they are flawed as they deal with real life issues.

Her books are always fast reads for me. I read this one in pretty much one sitting as I typically do with her book. My only complaint is that her books tend to end fast. She always builds her story and her characters, and I am gripped then you know that you are getting to the end, but then oops - it just ends. Drat. That goes to show that I just want more of the story. This one ended at the 88% mark. I thought there was more to go then it was over and there was a chapter of another book.

Fans of Carr will not be disappointed. She writes great books and great series (Virgin River). If you are not familiar with her work, this is a nice place to start.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anna didn’t have the perfect marriage but her life starts unravelling after the death of her husband. I loved all the drama that surrounded the family secrets and this was definitely a page turner for me. I wanted to see what other drama would unfold. I did, however, think that some parts were a bit repetitive.
I really enjoyed the side stories of the children, especially Jessie’s story.
There were a few times this book surprised me. I obviously expected an affair, but WOW, this had me hooked.
The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the constant mention of the pandemic. I did not think it was relevant to the story at all. This is just a personal preference. I do not like reading about the on-going pandemic. It was not mentioned during the first half of the book, and then it seemed like they were constantly mentioning it after that.
Rated: 3.75 Stars

Robyn Carr can surely writes stories of families, relationships, and emotions. This was a good story but somehow I didn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
It's one of those it's me not the book case.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was an intense book. It’s full of family drama and surprises. I can’t say I really liked any of the characters in the beginning of the book. As the story goes on they change and become more likable- at least for me.
It makes a good beach read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This book was fantastic! Well-written, well-crafted, well-researched and well-edited. Great characters that you totally empathise with. Fabulous plot that feels so real, so immediate. I love all this author's books and this one was no exception. Great job!!

I love Robyn Carr’s books. Her latest one was not my favorite, however. I think the author tried to pack just too much into one story. It was a tree with many deviated branches and it became too much at times. I never warmed up to any of the characters, but one I definitely didn’t like was Chad. Although his death galvanized the many events that occur within the book, he was a self centered jerk.
I liked the setting and how it all was resolved in the end.

A Family Affair will introduce you to a seemly normal family. An unexpected death and everybody has their problems coming to the surface. The characters will keep you reading to see how everyone deals.

A Family Affair by Robyn Carr is a poignant novel about grief, love, heartache, betrayal, family, and forgiveness. Anna McNichol loses her husband, Chad unexpectedly. When his will is read, the family is surprised when he leaves money to an anonymous individual. Anna and Chad had been having marital problems recently and now she will never be able to get them resolved. Chad was unhappy with the marriage and seemed to be searching for something. Anna notices a pregnant woman at the funeral and wonders what other secrets her husband was hiding. Anna’s three grown children deal with their grief in diverse ways. Each is struggling with the loss. We follow the McNichols as they deal with the loss of Chad and learn about his secrets. I thought A Family Affair was well-written with steady pacing. My one complaint is the repetition. The same facts repeated over and over throughout the book. I thought the characters were developed and realistic. Robyn Carr created a realistic family and explored their dynamics. Each family member needs to make a choice. They could stay bitter and angry at Chad for his actions, or they can forgive so they can go on to lead happy, fulfilled lives. Anna is a strong woman who handles the challenges thrown at her while continuing to do her job and support her children. A Family Affair has a satisfying conclusion. Life can change in an instant as we see in A Family Affair. If you like family dramas that delve into intricacies of a family, you should pick up A family Affair. A Family Affair is a story that will tug at your heartstrings.

What a wonderful story of love, acceptance and second chances. When Chad dies on a whitewater rafting trip, his family is angry, devastated, and guilt ridden. His wife was going to ask him for a separation and is now dealing with determining who is the person he's left a portion of his inheritance to.

As the family deals with their grief, they are each also suffering in their own personal relationships. When their father's/husband's past reveals some unsettling things they have to rethink everything he represented to each of them.

Truly a story of resilience, second chances, and discovering the true meaning of family. A 5 star read from Ms Carr!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

A great story about love, loss, family, secrets, and rediscovery.
When Anna's husband dies suddenly, she learns that he left money to an anonymous source in his will. Anna has a feeing he was having an affair, as he had done in the past. All three of her children are dealing with his loss in different ways, and each is having their own life issues. Coming together is going to be the only way the family can get through all the drama they have been dealt. When they learn to accept the help from each other, they can slowly put the pieces of their lives back together better than before.
Loved the story. It touched on so many real life issues like infidelity, anxiety, and even dementia.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a tender story dealing with loss, family drama, secrets, forgiveness, discovery, a few surprises, and the love of family. Robyn Carr knows how to deal with all of this in a mindful and understanding way. I enjoyed the book.

Anna’s world is shaken when her husband suddenly dies while on a rafting trip. She and her three adult children all grieve differently. He has left a significant bequest to an anonymous recipient. As this mystery is revealed yet another comes to light. I was fully engaged in this story within the first chapter. Carr tackles a number of family issues including infidelity, trust, and commitment avoidance. She also has a character who is on the autism spectrum. I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was a sweet book. Very typical Robyn Carr writing. If you are a fan of her work you won’t be disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a sneak peak of the book.,

The Family Affair has so much going on….pretty much they are hit with problem after problem. Each and every character seemed to have a drastic issue going on. Lots of forgiveness needs to done by everyone so they can go forward. How much can one family take?
A story full of family drama.
A story about finding happiness through adversity.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.